Mobbing on the PTA

My job was not a paid position, rather I was a volunteer on the PTA of my children's school. The dynamics were that of a mobbing, bullying group vs. me and the affects cut into my soul. Two years later I have left the group and left wondering how this all happened.

I was new to this small town community and targeted from the get go. My first encounter was with the charming sociopathic mother of my daughter's friend. Her plan to befriend me and goad me into joining the PTA. Always willing to give a hand I volunteered. I take pride in my hard work and doing my part so even when it seemed pre determined by the group that I would be secretary I was willing accepted the role. The vice secretary was the sociopatic mom who conveniently was never available to help me. Nobody called her to account. Sure it was a setup, I see that now and I intuited it then but ah the beauty of hindsight. Now this PTA was made up of a tsunami of bullies - all of them minions to the original sociopatic mom. I was aware of their deceptions but really could not get my head around it - it made no sense. Weren't we all there to help the school and our children, I decided to put my head down and do the work and ignore them.

My hard work was recognized and I was offered temporary position within the school system. This added much fuel to the fire as the sociopathic mom became enraged with envy and began psychological attacks on both me and my daughter. Suddenly my daughter was being isolated at school and her friends dropped like flies. The mom began subtle but effective attacks on my character, through gossip and making me out to be overeager and needy. I spoke with the principal as I wanted to expose her for what she was. But got the feeling she thought me paranoid and really didn't want the trouble of the mob on her.

Suddenly I was the trouble maker and after all my hard work was being marginalized and left feeling used and humiliated. I feel as though everyone in this small town ganged up on me and still can not understand why. I am college educated and worked as a professional for over 20 years prior to this life disruption. I never encountered this behaviour and had always enjoyed the fruits of my hard work with promotions, raises and being held in high esteem. Such small mindedness was foreign to me and left me doubting who I was. What irks me most is that I never stood up to them. As they falsely praised my hard work I nearly allowed myself to be sucked back into their games. I didn't want to give in and be intimidated. Luckily I had one supporter, my husband who stood up to them and said that as a family we were no longer taking part. Sometimes you need a shoulder to lean and luckily I had a strong one.

Each day I must still face these people at baseball matches and school events. Someone else was ultimately give the permanent position in the school. I am stronger from all this and have since learned the most important word is NO. I take comfort in knowing that I am not them and am still trying to be me while protecting my family from arrested developed people and social imbeciles.

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